Repent! But how?

Repentance is a very important truth that we may want to reconsider our thoughts concerning it. In fact, when we do so, we are repenting! The basic meaning of "repentance" in the New Testament (NT) is to change the mind or reconsider. There are always things about which we have incorrect concepts. The most important thing about which we have incorrect thinking is God and how to come to know Him! The Bible has quite a lot to say about our relationship to God and how we come to know Him, and the concept of repentance is in the midst of this. However, it likely doesn’t have the meaning that many of us have thought it to have! For example, there is strong implication in Scripture that "repentance" does not mean to stop sinning or be sorry enough to quit. The one thing that man needs in order to be right with God is God’s righteousness. Many people erroneously believe that changing or improving one's life (i.e. an unsaved person) brings one a step closer to God, yet the Bible nowhere teaches this. In fact, trusting in Christ brings the one ingredient that all the works in the world could never bring, that is the very righteousness of God. God's righteousness is only received through faith as the Bible itself teaches. An amazing truth of Scripture is that over 160 times in the New Testament, God's Word teaches that salvation hinges upon the sole condition of faith in Christ. So, taking all this into consideration, we see that true biblical repentance takes place when a person is led to sincerely put his trust in the Lord Jesus Christ alone for salvation. So, nothing could be more true than to say that there is a necessity for men everywhere to repent.

The BBN Bible Institute offers a course on this most important truth of repentance, and it is found at www.BBNBI.org, course number 12100. We have heard from more than a few students that their Christian lives have been literally revolutionized by this clear Biblical teaching concerning this doctrine. Why don’t you check it out, and if you are blessed by it, tell a friend!